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I don't know if mine qualify as top notch for price standards or by much other than pure working reliability. Almost all of my reels are Abu Garcia's 100 series. I have a 300, but for my favorite my sight fishing rod and all my panfish rods carry nothing but the Abu Garcia Cardinal 100U. I simply love it. And will continue to use them till one fails me.

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I also have some Tica's, good reels! I also have a nice Pinnacle, a Shakespear,a Cabela's, and an Abu Gacia that all work really nice for me. Bang for the buck I would say the Tica's are tough to beat!

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The SX Series features lightweight carbon-fiber components, SDS™ Drag System, four ABEC I stainless steel ball bearings, and wide spool design for long, smooth, accurate casts. The 240 SX has an aluminum body.

The XL Series boasts the same cutting-edge casting and drag performance properties as the SX Series, but with super-tough components and four stainless steel ball bearings. The 180 XL has an aluminum body.

This is a very sweet reel. I have a few US Reels, 180SX, 230SX, and 240SX and they are amazing casting reels. The 180SX or 180 XL are perfect ice reels in many ways for the light mono panfish crew and the ultra thin braid crew. It has a large dynamiter spool so line memory is lessened and it spools line off flawlessly. A superior drag allows for a wide range of adjustment. Zero roll-back, high functioning bail, a very smooth reel.

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The US REEL 180 is a great ice reel. Spooling line off easily is half the battle on an ice reel, and reduced line memory is a huge benefit. Less line digging into the spool. Fast change spools, inner arbor to reduce line capacity if you so wish too..far better drag than most reels...lots of perks in these reels.

The XL is not as high priced as the SX, because the XL is aluminum and the SX is all stainless.

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The cabela's fish eagle for $30 or a shimano sedona 750 which is on sale at Cabelas now for $40. The drags on both are as smooth as can be. They are easily a couple of the best reels out there for ice fishing.

I will get the archery, and go whenever I feel like it... I like that! But first I will work on getting my son onto another bird. I really like the changes that the DNR have implemented the last few years!

Yes, it's sad that people push the limits without being prepared. People are anxious to get out. I checked this lake tonight and I think I was the third person to set foot on the ice already. The first spud check was already frozen solid.